Typewriter support



June 28, 1949. Y VALE 2,474,385

TYPEWRITER SUPPORT Filed April 8, 1944 Patented June 28, 1949 UNITED STATES OFFICE 9 Claims. Cl. 24823) This invention relates in general to typewriter supports and more particularly has reference to a device for supporting a typewriter in a. position inclined to the horizontal.

Typewriters are normally used when supported upon a horizontal surface. When so supported, it is necessary for the operator to sit in an up-- right position .in close proximity to the so supported typewriter. Obvoiusly a typewriter so sup ported is not susceptible for use by a person confined to bed.

As a result of the present war, many persons are confined to bed for long periods of time and even though they do not know how to operate a typewriter, could. have their morale greatly increased by typing or learning to type as a pastime.

An object of this invention is to support a typewriter in a suitable position for use by a person confined to bed.

Another object of this invention is to provide a typewriter support for mounting the typewriter in various adjustable positions over a bed.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a typewriter support adapted to be clamped to a bed table and adjustable to various positions to support the keyboard of the typewriter so as to be most accessible to the operator.

It is also an object of this invention to mount a typewriter for universal adjusted movement on a base.

With these and other objects in view, which will appear more fully hereinafter, the present invention. resides in the parts and combinations shown in the drawings and described in the accompanying specification.

In order to facilitate an understanding of the present invention, reference is made to the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a typewriter support according to the present invention.

igure 2 is a. vertical sectional view of the support shown in Figure 1 of the drawings.

Figure 3 is a rear elevational view of the support shown in Figure 1 of the drawings.

Figure 4 is a plan view of the support shown in Figure 1 of the drawings.

A person confined to bed and required to lie in a supine position could not very well operate a typewriter support above him in the normal position. In accordance with the present invention, a support is provided for positioning the typewriter so that the keyboard will be readily accessible for use by a person confined to bed and lying in a supine position.

In the drawings one embodiment of the present invention is illustrated by way of example. This embodiment is of the type which is adapted to be clamped on to a bed table of the cantilever type, which may be located adjacent the bed so that the table will extend transversely of the bed and over the patient. Such a table has been indicated by reference character I in the drawings. The embodiment shown in the drawings comprises a base 2 which is provided with clamps 3 equipped with thumb screws 4 for detachably securing the same to table I. As illustrated, the base 2 is in the form of a flat plate, but obviously it can be constructed in other forms. Extending upwardly from the base 2 is a bolt 5, which is non" rotatably mounted in a suitable socket provided in the base 2. The bolt 5 extends upwardly through a transverse slot 6 provided in a member l which may be pivoted about the bolt 5 and slidable with respect to said bolt by reason of the slot 6. A thumb screw 8 is threaded onto the upper end of the bolt 5 for securing the member I in adjusted positions with respect to the base 2. A carrier 9 is mounted on the member 1 by means of a hinge Ill which enables the carrier to be pivoted about the horizontal axis of the pintle of the hinge Ill.

In order to support the carrier 9 in various positions of adjustment of the hinge [0, a plurality of links I! are pivoted by means of pins l2 to the member I. Extending longitudinally of each link is a slot [3 through which extends a threaded stud l4 carried by each edge of the carrier 9. A thumb screw I5 is threaded On each of the studs M for clamping the links in adjusted positions with respect to the studs l4.

While in the drawings the links H are shown to be a length sufficient to enable the carrier 9 to be moved to a vertical position, it is of course within the concept of the present invention to have the links I l of any length necessary to adjust the carrier 9 to any desired position.

Carrier 9 is provided with a slot l6 which extends parallel to the side edges thereof as illustrated in Figure 3 of the drawings.

A carriage I! is slidably and pivotably mounted upon the carrier 9. As illustrated, the carriage IT has a bolt 18 fixed therein and extending through the slot I 6. This enables the carriage to be pivoted with respect to the axis of the bolt l8 and to enable the carriage to be slided in a direction parallel to the slot l6. A thumb screw [9 is threaded on the end of the bolt l8 to secure the carriage in adjusted positions with respect to the carrier 9.

A typewriter indicated in the drawings by reference character 20 is adapted to be secured by means of the usual anchoring screws 2| or any similar means to the carriage ll.

With a typewriter 20 secured to the carriage I! as illustrated in the drawings, it is obvious that when the typewriter support is clamped in position'on the table I that thekeyboard of the typewriter may be inclined to the horizontal about the pintle of the hinge ID and securedin such adjusted position by means of the clamping thumb screws IS. The typewriter may Jthenbe adjusted pivotally and for transverse movement 7 about the bolt and secured in any desired adjusted position by the tightening 'of-the'thumb screws 8. In the event that it is necessary toadjust the position of the keyboard by movement about the axis of the bolt l8, this can be easily accomplished and the typewriter secured in such adjusted position by the tightening of the thumb screw l 9. Likewise, an adjustment in the vertical direction can be effected by means of movement of the bolt [8 through the slot Hi. It will be noted that substantial surface engagement is provided "between the relatively movable parts of the sup- :port to assure that the'parts will maintain their adjusted positions.

From'the foregoing description, it will be appreciated that many adjustments of the typewriter can be made to various positions in order to best suit the comfort and convenience of the patient operator. Thus, if the patient is confined so that he is required to lie in a particular '1 "position, the'typewriter'keyboard canbe adjusted so that it will be most accessible to him when in that position.

While the present invention is particularly adapted for use'by patients while'inbed, it is also susceptible for use by persons in wheel chairs or other similar devices. In this connection it may be desirable in some instances to "adjustthe "typewriter to a position nearl horizontal. For this p pose, it will be noted that the carrier 9 I is provided with an opening 22 to accommodate the thumb screw 8 and that the member I is :'provided with an -opening'23 to accommodate the thumb screw iii.

The present invention will'be' found to beparticularly useful in the rehabilitation 'of war "casualties and will find many uses in hospitals and other similar institutions.

'While a specific example of the invention has been shoWn in the drawings and described in the "specification, it is to be understood that the present "invention is not confined to the'specifi'c details of the construction shown, as the various 'movements which inefiect result in'mounting the typewriter for universal adjustment may be -effected with parts and devices other than that "described.

'Iclaim:

1. A typewriter support comprising a base, a

carriage, means for mounting a typewriter on' said carriage, and means including pivotally and slidably interconnected elements interposed 'beclinations to the horizontal.

'2. An apparatusfor adjustably supporting a typewriter with its keyboard in variouspositions 're'lative't'o thatof a typewriter'on' a'horizontal support comprising a base, a carriage, means for mounting a typewriter on said carriage, and means including a member mounted on the base for pivotal and sliding movement relative to the base, a carrier pivotally mounted on said member and mechanism for pivotally and slidably mounting said carriage on said carrier for supporting said carriage on the base for pivotal movement about a vertical .axis, pivotal. movement about a horizontal axis and pivotal movement about an axis inclined to said horizontal axis, and horizontal and vertical sliding movement.

3. An apparatus for adjustably supporting a typewriter with its keyboard in various positions .relative to that of a typewriter on a horizontal support comprising a base, a carriage, means for "mounting 'a'typewriter on said carriage, a memme ans including a member :pivotallymounted" on said base, a carrier pivotallycmounted on said member and means pivotally mounting the'carriage on the carrier for supporting said carriage on the base for pivotal'movement about;a vertical axis, pivotal :movementiwaboiut :a horizontal axis andpivotal 'movementxabout an axis perpendicular to a plane-containing thexfeet'of-the "typewriter, and for sliding-movement inxahorizon-tal plane and in the plane containing the feet of the typewriter, "and means for detachably mounting 'said' base on a supporting member.

5. An apparatus for adjustably'supporting a typewriter with its keyboard in various positions relative'to that ofca typewriter on a horizontal support comprising-a base, a carriage, means for ---mounting a typewriter on said 'carriage a' mem- Fber mounted on said base for pivotal movement about a vertical axisandtorxhorizontal sliding movement, means ifor securing the member in adjusted positions on said base,-'a carrier mounted on said member for pivotal -movement about a horizontalpivot, means for securingthe carrier in adjusted positions relative to the member, said 'carriagebeingmountedon said carrier for pivotal movement about a pivot perpendicular to aplane containing the-bottom of the typewriter and for sliding movement in said plane, and means for securing the carriage and typewriter in adjusted .positions-on said carrier.

"and movement about an axis adjustably positioned and substantially perpendicular to said horizontal axis.

'7. An apparatus for adjustably supporting -a typewriter with its keyboard in various positions relative to that'of typewriter on "a' horizontal support comprising a 'base,-a carriageymeans for "mounting a typewriter-"on 'said carriage, "means including pivotally interconnected elements interposed between the base and carriage and pivotally connected therewith for mounting said carriage on the base for movement about a vertical axis, movement about a horizontal axis, movement about an axis adjustably positioned and substantially perpendicular to said horizontal axis, and means mounting said carriage on the element connected therewith for sliding movement toward and away from said horizontal axis.

8. An apparatus for supporting a typewriter for use by a bed patient comprising a carriage, means for securing a typewriter to the carriage, a base, means including pivotally interconnected elements interposed between the base and carriage and pivotally connected therewith for mounting the carriage on the base for movement about a vertical axis, movement about a horizontal axis and movement about an adjustably positioned axis substantially perpendicular to said horizontal axis.

9. An apparatus for supporting a typewriter for use by a bed patient comprising a carriage, means for securing a typewriter to the carriage, a base, means including pivotally interconnected elements interposed between the base and car- 6 riage and pivotally connected therewith for mounting the carriage on the base for movement about a vertical axis, movement about a horizontal axis, movement about an adjustably positioned axis substantially perpendicular to said horizontal axis, and means mounting said carriage on the element connected therewith for sliding movement toward and away from said horizontal axis.

JALVA VALE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 502,991 Phillips Aug. 8, 1893 528,488 Paisley Oct. 30, 1894 631,512 Reid Aug. 22, 1899 1,297,866 Kitchener Mar. 18, 1919 1,401,458 Boon Dec. 27, 1921 1,824,322 Kradalfer Sept. 29, 1931 1,837,826 Mitchell et a1. Dec, 22, 1931 2,272,819 Poetsch et a1. Feb. 10, 1942 

